"Zzzzzzz...."


I was going to write this evening, but alas, I am tired; must sleep. I haven't disappeared, just been happily busy. Stay tuned later today though, Saturday, for some interesting news. I think it's interesting anyway.... For now, though, off to find my pillow I go.... I can make it!... I think I can, I think I can.... I think I......

[Jon's head hits the keyboard and he is fast asleep].
posted by Jon at 3:05 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Dude, come up for air sometime!...."


Aye Carumba! .... Up late again! Maybe I should just pull an all-nighter?....

...Hmm. Nah. I think I'll just grab a 5-hour cat nap and then head out to complete my Wednesday To-Do list. I'll have the entire afternoon and early evening to complete it. That's probably more time than I need for what's on that list anyway. Then I can just make sure not to stay up this late Wednesday night... Ain't it fun keeping busy! ...[grin].

Have a blessed Wednesday, and, until next time,

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:58 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Productive = Tiring"


Well, it's almost 6am Tuesday. I spend most of Monday and then quite a bit of this morning doing the fun stuff I always have a nose for finding. Most recently such has been a complete remodeling and upgrading of my website. You might want to check it out. Feel free to drop me comments, I'd love the feedback! I was feeling particularly creative, but I think it's an improvement! :)

...Oh, and the weblog currently retains the old design. I guess Blogger is transitioning to a new server/program, so, for the time-being, until the switch-over is complete or until I can figure out what's up, I'll have to wait on upgrading my blog. I hope you don't mind?.... [grin].

Oh, and before I forget, I found out why I've been seeing new people coming and going in the apartment across from me.... apparently the two college guys (who were still living there) have moved out. I saw them loading up the uhaul yesterday, and, as far as I can see, that apartment is now empty. I wonder who the new neighbors will be.... [hopes it's a cute girl....].[grin]....

Well, I'm tired.... time for bed. I'll catch you all later in the day. Have a blessed Tuesday.

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 5:42 AM  I   I  0 comments

"So who ARE my neighbors?"


Ok, now I'm really curious....

I haven't really met any of my apartment neighbors yet -- in the year that I've lived here in this building. Sure, I've seen a few of them, maybe even said a few words, but I've never officially met most of them. I've seen the car mechanic guy (late twenties, early thirties) working on his old beater a few times... I've seen and heard my downstairs neighbors (a married couple), but never really talked with them much. And I've seen a few others in passing, but, I guess most of the time when you live in an apartment building, even as small as mine, people tend to stick to themselves.

Now, across from me (our two buildings face each other), I thought lived two college guys.... much like Noah and I, though both of us have already graduated. Lately, however, I've seen two rather attractive down-to-earth looking young women, my age or so, coming and going. Strangely, my curiousity has been peaked. Maybe two college guys don't live across the way, ... maybe they're two young women?

Now, I'm certainly not one to 'spy' on my neighbors, but I am a rather curious person sometimes. As our living rooms face each other, and we both leave our front window curtains/blinds open on a nice day, I have lately seen them milling about in their living room. Those are definitely young women. Apparently gone are the college guys that I saw moving in last year. But, what befuddles me, is that I still see a guy using the computer often (the computer that has been in the same place in the room since those two guys moved in), so my theory might be all wrong.

So, two guys, or two girls? Or a mix of both? Perhaps I should just go over and say hi huh? I'd feel a little embarrassed though, precipitated by seeing these young women coming and going. For all I know, these could be siblings of the guys. Or, maybe these girls have moved in and the guy is a brother or boyfriend....

AHHHH!!! .... Now I know what the old saying means, "Curiousity killed the cat!" I'll probably meet my neighbors sooner or later, but for now, I can only wonder. ... Man, I've gotta get out more!... [chuckle].

Oh well, curious as always,

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:30 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Re-seeding Revisited."


Wednesday I agreed to go with my friend Scott up to his cabin up north and finish a little more grounds work. Mostly it consisted of removing two large piles of composting leaves and thus freeing up the dying grass beneath. We also took care to re-seed and water the grass that we had planted a couple weeks back. Thankfully most of what we had done previously was not for naught, and the new grass was actually growing quite nicely. So, now, aside from the dock going into the water, I think the work is done and the cabin is ready for it's regular summer schedule of inhabitants. I love a job well-done!

As it so happened, we had gotten a later start to these projects than planned, and the day's work took longer than we had thought. So, instead of have Scott drive back to Milwaukee and drop me off Monday night as planned, we decided I'd just crash at his place. It's a two hour drive from the cabin to Milwaukee, and Scott lives in the middle. After dropping me off, it's another hour drive for him back home, and in this case, at night. He dislikes driving in the country at night. So do I actually....

Thursday morning, after some much-appreciated rest, we departed the small town Scott lives in, and shot over to another town in which his brother attends a preparatory high school. Scott had some things to drop there before the younger sibling returned home to Africa for the summer (Scott's father is a Lutheran missionary over there). Then it was back down to Milwaukee, running a few errands, and I was home. Needless-to-say, I'm a little behind in my plans now, but hey, I suppose when an opportunity presents itself to hang out with your best friend on a such a beautiful day, at a cabin up north, there's really little to complain about!

So Friday morning has arrived. Time to do a little more drawing, maybe take a bike ride (if it's not raining), and then lounge around some. I always have something to do. This time though, I'm going to be a bum for a few hours! ...Not a bad plan if you ask me! ...[chuckle].

Have a blessed end to the week, and until next time,

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 9:58 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Speak clearly please."


Earlier this morning I actually had a rare event happen to me.... A commercial phone call was actually addressed to me, not my roomate, Noah, as usual. Normally he's the one that all the telemarketers call for....

Well, this time it was my credit card company calling to offer me something. As usual, I wasn't interested. I just care about the bare bones when it comes to things like that. Unfortunately, though, I was having a very hard time understanding anything the woman was saying, and it wasn't because of the telephone connection -- it was her accent.

Now, I would think that if you want to conduct business on the phone, you've gotta have people who can be easily understood. There really shouldn't be need for debate over this. If a customer can't understand you, how are you going to drum up business? It's not like in real life, with body language, eye contact, expressions and all those auxillery forms of communication. On the phone, it's strictly your voice that gets used to convey the message. The plain and simple is, you just have to be understood.

Well, this woman who called me was clearly one of those smaller hispanic women (the maid type), and she had the accent to prove it. I had to keep asking her to repeat things, and I think by the end of the call, she either thought I was high on drugs and slow of hearing, or just trying to annoy her.

I did get the gist of her call though, however, I did have to wonder why she was working in this field. She clearly neither had the necessary vocal clarity for it, nor the voice training. The sad thing is, it was probably a case of "equal opportunity employment". The company, by law, needed to have all their bases covered, so she got the job. Hmm.

....Perhaps telemarketers should have vocal training much like singers or actors go through. I imagine it would help a large majority of them do their job better. And it would certainly be easier on the ears of those of us stupid enough to listen to them for long. ... [grin].

Have a blessed Wednesday.
(And if you're ever in a position to call me, please, PLEASE, SPEAK CLEARLY!) ... [wink]!

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:14 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Graduation Weekend."


Well, my parents were here this past weekend for my younger sister Rachel's college graduation. So, now, officially, Rachel has joined me out in the real world. She seems to be a little more ambitious about it at the moment, but I suppose I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. Her plan is to move straight out to Los Angeles (Hollywood) this fall, and then work at establishing herself in the acting world. Hey, if she can make it work, kudos to her! I sort of have my own private doubts that it'll go as smoothly as she likes to think, but, hey, she's following her dreams. I certainly can't argue with that!

This weekend went pretty well. My parents came into the city (down from Minnesota) on Friday, and I put them up in my little apartment for the duration of their stay. It was a little cozy with both of them, my youngest sister Lydia, Rachel (since she is already moved off campus), and myself, but it worked out well. I always love guests, especially when it turns out to be family, so it was the best of all words I suppose! Noah, my roomate, chose to stay out at his family's house in a nearby suburb, thus letting Rachel (his fiance) have his bed here, and decreasing the crowd a bit. What a nice guy. ...[wink].

Friday allowed for some wonderful chat time with my parents, while Rachel and Noah took care of other things... While Noah was out and about, Rachel had acquired a babysitting job for the two children of the star of the Forentine Opera. While the father (actor, Mark Delavan) performed the role of Rigoletto in the opera by the same name, and his wife sat in the opening night audience, Rachel watched his kids in their temporary residence. I don't know how she makes these interesting contacts, but, babysitting for the star of a renowned opera, held at Milwaukee's premier fine arts center, has gotta be a rare opportunity!

When Rachel returned home late that evening, she and I sat talking for nearly an hour, about a vast array of topics, many of a theatrical nature. I missed that. She and I used to do that a lot when we were kids and still living at home in Minnesota. Back then, we'd always get in touble for that though, since my mom has good hearing and was trying to sleep in a nearby room. ...[chuckle]... But this time, we just talked, before both heading off to bed, being careful not to wake any of my guests in the next room (much less my Mom... lol). Fun stuff!

Saturday was Graduation Day. This was the day Rachel 'walked' and got her college diploma. It brought back memories to last year when I was in her place, but, now that I already have my degree, I don't think I'd go back and do it again... Too many people; too big of a crowd for my tastes. It was the typical day though, of mingling and congratulating graduating friends on campus. The sun was shining and it was an all-around beautiful afternoon. Definitely a great day for graduation!

Today also marked a milestone in the history of my old college. Our college president, after 28 years of service in that position, is retiring. He has been the only president in the history of the college. He helped found it, and was around for the first graduating class of only about two dozen students back in the 1970's. Back then classes were held in a nearby highschool. Now, 28 years later, we have a beautiful campus of over half a dozen buildings (with a new science facility already under construction), and a student body of just over 700! Wow! Now that I would certainly call a very well-blessed academic career (not to mention his earlier educational contributions)! He will be missed around there, very much so!

Well, Saturday evening, after the graduation events on campus, while Rachel and the others were running a few errands, I got the chance to talk on the phone with Mark (the owner of Mastervisions), the guy whom I am doing this three-peice patriotic set of artwork for. We brainstormed some excellent ideas, and now I am all the more excited about the project. I think it'll be a very attractive set. It seems he really likes my work. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to once again create artwork for others. From the sounds of it, I may perhaps even have Mark commissioning further works to me in the future. I tell you, THIS is the stuff to get excited about! I'm all about creativity, and, as an artist, nothing revs me up more than an opportunity, like this, to just plain create!

But, anyway moving on.... [grin]... (you can tell I'm excited, can't you!... lol)...

Sunday saw Rachel's graduation party. Again, God blessed us with a beautiful day, a little windy, but certainly nothing to complain about. There was perhaps a smaller turnout than expected (perhaps due a little in part to location), but many of our local relatives showed up, as well as quite a few of Rachel's friends, some even from college that I knew. ... Oh, and the food.... Mmmmm! (There was this one rhubarb desert.... [drools]. I love rhubarb!).

So, now that the weekend is over, and Rachel is now also a college graduate, summer starts. I'm still enjoying my time as a freelance artist, constantly keeping busy with the exciting task of artistic creation.... and hoping the jobs keep coming to keep me busy. Rachel prepares to live-in nanny for a well-to-do family here in the city this summer, and, my weekend visitors are safely back in Minnesota. Things are going well at the moment. I pray they continue to do so, and, I pray the same can be said of life on your end of this internet connection as well.

"Life is short. Make the best of what comes your way." That's one of my mottos lately. So far it seems to be an accurate one, although I'm back in 'optimist mode' again, so maybe I'm just biased.... [grin].

Well, have a blessed day, and I hope the weather is as lovely by you, as it seems to be by me! Smile. :)

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 12:39 PM  I   I  0 comments

"To Each His Own."


My parents and youngest sister are coming down this weekend. They'll be here for my sister Rachel's college graduation. That makes two college graduates out of us six siblings. Man, I'm old.

Rachel graduates this weekend, from my old college, with a career interest in theatre and acting.... Becca, my third sister, is finishing up her sophomore year out at VMI (Virginia Military Institute), and hopes to serve as an officer somewhere in the United States Air Force.... Ben graduates from highschool and is going out to college in the Upper Midwest to pursue computers.... Joel is the jock in high school, very talented in a number of sports, and probably will still be in college.... And Lydia is graduating from gradeschool and preparing to be the last Baas to go through our old high school. Then there's me, the eldest, already a year out of college, with a degree in art and working to pursue an eventual career in acting and art -- and actually finding a surprising start to success already! .... Yeah, I'd certainly say I come from a vary varied group of siblings.

I remember back a few years when I was just preparing to head off to college, the first of us siblings to do so. I thought it was cool, being the first to venture out into the college waters. I was excited; thrilled to move on in life. Times certainly change though. Now there are four of us six that are, or have, stepped into college life. Instead of six of us pestering little children at home, there are only two left, and they're already in their teens. The rest of us are adults. Before long Joel and Lydia will have left for college too. I can only imagine how old that makes my parents feel! ....[smile].

It's kind of interesting how fast time flies though. You almost have to force yourself to make it slow down and enjoy it, becasue before you know it, you've blinked and it's gone. Where did all the years go? ...But, ah, the memories! The good times. The lessons learned. The friends aquired. Life may take us all down different paths, but that only adds to the excitement along the way!

Think about it. Five, maybe even ten years down the road, there will be two successful Baas actors persuing their creative dreams somewhere out there. There'll perhaps be at least a Lt. Baas serving somewhere in the US Armed Forces, or in a related civilian field after her tour of duty. There'll be a computer programmer working for some computer company, and probably loving every minute of it. There'll be another one who's graduated from college, left a name in the school sports record books, and could very well be a teacher or pastor somewhere... or, who knows, perhaps even a professional athlete! And then there'll be the last, and youngest of us, perhaps also teaching somewhere, but passionally chasing her creative dreams along the way as well.

Life goes on. We grow up. But it sure is fun to follow along as each of us pursues our own interests! I guess you could say that's one of the joys of being from a large family. Ah, what fun, life!!!

Enjoy the intricacies of it all. Cherish your siblings. Follow along as they chase their dreams. Afterall, it's the variety within a generation that makes the next one all the more interesting!

Have a blessed weekend. Until we meet up here again,

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 4:25 AM  I   I  0 comments

"The Uncontious Mind Wins."


Well, just for the heck of it, I decided to pull an all-nighter on Tuesday night (after my last post). I took the opportunity to let myself get so engrossed in the art project at hand (well, more research for it anyway) that I lost track of time.... and I was sort of having fun too. As intended, I was still awake Wednesday morning when my roomate, Noah, woke up and went off to work. He didn't say anything.

Sometime after 9am, I got up from my computer, left my project for a few moments, and went to get a bite to eat. Then it happened. I completely lost the motivation to continue with my project. I simply didn't have the drive to sit back down and pick up where I left off. On top of that, my uncontious mind was laughing at me, claiming that I was most definitely near defeat. I, of course, adamant to stay awake, disagreed....

Unfortunately though, I guess I was much weaker than I thought. Within a few moments, I had decided to crawl into bed anyway, and woke up seven hours later, just in time for dinner.

[big sigh]

Word of the Wise:
The Uncontious Mind is deceptively powerful. No matter how hard you try to fight it, it WILL win in the end!

Oh well, I needed the sleep. Strange thing is though... I had some very interesting dreams as I slept.

I had one -- a very vivid one -- in which I saved a quiet young woman, about my age, from committing suicide. She was about to jump off the railing of an old apartment building stairwell, and plunge to her death many floors below. After a touching conversation, I convinced her not to.... and then in the days that followed, she and I became good friends. .... Very strange.

Hmm, well, who knows. Maybe it's just a strange little reminder that I gotta get out there and meet new people. [shrug].

Have a great Thursday... Time for bed. I'll catch you all probably later in the day. :)

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 7:39 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Jon vs. the Uncontious Mind!"


You know, lately I've been sleeping for about ten hours a night. I really don't know why. I haven't set my alarm becasue I haven't had a need to be anywhere, and I know eight hours of sleep, if I can get it, isn't all that bad of an idea. The only thing is, I've been sleeping ten instead of eight.

I told myself last night that I would sleep only six hours, and then be up and ready to get back to work on the fun art stuff. Usually, I've been pretty successful convincing my internal clock to wake when I want it to. Many times I've tested myself in this regard, and usually have awoken a few minutes BEFORE my alarm goes off. Yet, maybe this time, my uncontious mind is taunting me. When that alarm is not there taunting it, it just sleeps until it wants to wake up....

...Hmm, I tell you, the mind is a strange, and sometimes annoying thing. :)

But hey, eight hours, ten hours, who cares I guess. I'm awake and ready for a new day. Maybe I'll try taunting it this time and pull an 'all-nighter' just for the heck of it -- for old times sake! ...[grin]. .... I know I'll have enough to do to keep me busy. Just my luck though, I'll probably fall asleep at my computer screen, and then who wins.... [sigh].

Oh, well.... I guess it's a mixture of frustration, amusement, and a challenge. And who said I'm not amused by the simple things?!

Have a great Tuesday all, and I'll catch you again in the near future.

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 5:29 PM  I   I  0 comments

"A Poem for Mom."


Before I Was Myself, You Made Me, Me
- copyright, Nicholas Gordon

Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.
Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.
Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

Love,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:36 PM  I   I  0 comments

"A Cold One Comin' On."


I awoke this morning to a new world -- a cold, and very windy world.

Last night the wind was blowing so strong that I feared my upstairs bedroom windows would break in. For a while I didn't sleep well. Of course, the windows were fine, but still.

Right now it's somewhat the same outside, cold, and a little bit less windy, ...And then there's the rain. I think I'll just stay indoors today, rather than run those errands I had hoped to. They can wait until tomarrow. I'll just hope Monday looks like a nice spring day again. We'll see.

I guess I just break out the warm sweatshirt again, and huddle up by my computer. [grin].

Have a blessed Sunday -- Mother's Day -- and I hope the sun is shining by you. It would make for a lovely Mother's Day gift! :)

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 2:22 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Short Shorts."


Well, I actually saw my first woman of the season out and about the streets with those jean shorts on. I guess that means the transition from spring to summer has 'officially' begun. ...[chuckle].

Usually, guys are a poor indication of this change to summer (or any season for that matter), becasue, more often than not, as long as it's sunny out, they'll wear shorts -- even if there is still snow on the ground and it's 10-20 degrees (Fht.) outside! Young woman on the other hand, seem to have more smarts about them. They actually wear shorts, when it's time to wear shorts.

At least here in the upper Midwest (USA), where there is such a major distinction between the seasons, I've found that young women tend to choose to wear jeans until it's 'officially' warm enough to show a little more skin. Young males, on the other hand, seem as though they could care less.... and ironically tend to get sick more often. Hmm. I wonder if there is a connection here? ... [chuckle].

I guess that's just one more point on the intelligence meter for women, and one less for the guys. Way to go girls!

Ah, yes, Summer is certainly upon us already! Today when I went out and about the city to run a few errands, the sun was out, a steady breeze was blowing, and according to my little 'outdoor temperature software program thingy' here on my computer, it has been a few degrees shy of 80 all day. An absolutely beautiful day for a trip out on the town! ....Especially compared to last night, when there was a steady rain blanketing the city...

But, you know, before long, the temperature (and humidity) will eventually rise, to the point that Noah and I will have to install the air conditioning unit in the window again. But by then it'll already be well into summer. I can handle that. This is the time of year I love though. I'll have to enjoy it while I still can.... especially this lovely breeze coming in, upon my back, through my upstairs bedroom window!

Ahhh, spring, how I love thee so!

Have a good weekend, and I hope your area of the world is blessed with warmth and a cool breeze as well. Enjoy it. It only comes once a year... (unless, of course, you live in Death Valley, or the Sahara Desert!... [lol].)

Until next time,

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:53 PM  I   I  0 comments

"Tuesday / Wednesday"


Tuesday my friend Scott came down here to Milwaukee for a visit. It was his birthday, so he, his sister (Diana -- student at our old college), and I got together and went out to eat, at Edwardos. Mmmm, great pizza! Loaded with layers of cheese, basil, etc.... [licks lips]... I was full after only about two slices! Great stuff! ...The Last time I went there to eat was, I think, almost three years ago!... Yeah, yeah, I know, I don't get out much. ...[lol]

After dinner, we returned Diana to campus. Next week is Finals Week for her, and she's got a few tests she's concerned about. I hope she is able to pull of a good grade on them. It would be a great way to end a semester. ....Yeah, good 'ole Finals Week. That's one thing I certainly don't miss about college!

After dropping her off, Scott and I decided to take in a movie at the nearby budget theatre. Seeing a movie for $1.50 can't be beat! ... Unfortunately, "Shanghai Knights" wasn't as good as we had hoped, especially based upon "Shangai Noon", the film it was a sequal to. I guess sequals are perpetually destined to usually be worse than the original. As always Jackie Chan was a hoot, and his humor and action was quite entertaining. Unfortunately though, the story was a little too contrived and unrealistic. I suppose just seeking Jackie Chan though was worth it. He's always a joy to see in action. Not to mention the typical outtakes at the end of his films. Now THOSE were hilarious!

After the film, as usual, Scott and I talked for quite some time. It's a sign of a great frienship. And I'll be honest, I don't think I could ask for a better best friend. He and I share a lot in common, and we get along very well. It's too bad he's one of a kind. My base of friends seems to be rather small right now. I would love to get to know more people like him.... perhaps even moreso on the other side of the spectrum -- a female friend. I do have to get out more.... We'll see I guess.

Wednesday wasn't too notable of a day overall, however I suppose there are a few things that may be mentionable. I spent most of the day working on the ever-existing projects that keep me busy. I appreciate keeping busy. I hate being bored.

I've let up a bit on pursuing job leads lately, and have been dedicating more of my time to the freelance artwork projects I have on my plate. Without a 9-5 job at the moment, I actually have time to dedicate towards this artwork. Compared to the 9-5 job that I am looking for, I'd rather spend as much time as I want on the fun stuff -- the creative stuff. That's what I love doing, and what I do the best. I am getting paid for them, so I suppose, at the moment, it's the best of both worlds. Once I get further along in these projects, then I suppose I'll dive back into full-time job-searching. Until then, I'm going to have fun. Conditions are perfect for it. Who's to say I can't enjoy the opportunity? ... [grin].

Oh, speaking of having fun.... I spent a little bit of time between projects on Wednesday scanning through my typical The Sims websites, looking for more in-game objects to download. I stopped at an interesting site and scratched my head in a strange mixture of intruige and disbelief....

Did you know that there is a live online radio station (with live dj's) based upon The Sims computer game? Yeah, no kidding. I'm not sure yet how much of it is tongue-in-cheek, and how much of it really is serious. Apparently it is a viable station though, and seems to play mostly modern pop/rock music. As a test I requested a song, by Buddy Jewell, since I knew it might be a little hard to come by (compared to what they were playing normally).... and they played it within ten minutes of my request, dedicating it to me. Hmm. Not bad. I guess I will have to chalk up this site to a very unique idea, becasue it certainly is. Check it out sometime, even if just out of pure curiousity.

Oh, and lastly, a little update that still has me baffled, but growingly intruiged. Jon Recommends, the online radio station I have set up on mp3.com, is still ranked #2 among the top country stations.... but it's also now listed as #56 among the top stations in ALL categories. Considering the popularity of mp3.com, and the sheer multitude of stations playing over a million song titles, I suppose I do have reason to be thrilled! But then again, perhaps I am just amused by the simple things. :)

Have a blessed Thursday. I'll catch you again soon.

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 4:37 PM  I   I  0 comments

"#2 on mp3.com!"


I just discovered something rather interesting. In only two days, this site's online radio station, Jon Recommends, is listed as #2 in the top MP3.com Country Radio stations! I'm not sure how that happened -- (in only two days!) -- but hey, I'm certainly not complaining!

If you haven't had a chance to check it out yet, by all means, please feel free. The current country theme features a good selection of music by the original twelve finalists of USA's Nashville Star, ...including five songs by winner, Buddy Jewell. Give it a listen. I'd love to hear what you think.

-Jon
posted by Jon at 11:17 PM  I   I  0 comments

"I've got a few things for you...."


Well, not a lot has been happening here these past couple of days. Other than the creative projects I'm working on, and the ever-important job-seeking efforts, I've been making sure to enjoy the fact that I'm home and not working somewhere yet. Afterall, once I find myself a new job, I'll hopefully be working eight hours a day again. I might as well enjoy this 'free time' while it still exists.

So, that said, I actually ended up using a good part of Sunday to work on some website stuff. I seem to find a lot of solitude in that. I really enjoy it. I'm not sure why, but it's rather relaxing, and I feel more at ease doing it. I guess that's good enough reason right there huh? ... [chuckle]

So, here's some of the stuff I worked on:

NEWS: Jon's Artwork Etched in Glass

I actually added something new, and I think, rather cool, to the site -- an online radio station. Yep, you heard that right, an online radio station, courtesy of mp3.com! .... I've been so into the Nashville Star talent competition on USA, that I decided to create a radio station, accessable to anyone, featuring the music of the original twelve finalists. Now you can tune my station in (online only of course) and listen to whatever music by those artists I could find. It's a good way to kick off this new radio feature too I think.

Of course, this radio station idea is intended to change, feature new music on a weekly basis, promote some talented though lesser-known country musicians, and just be something fun. I encourage you to stop by and give the play list a listen. Hang around. I'm sure it'll be as educational for you as I hope it will be for me.... [chuckle].

Online Radio Station

Of course, there is also the ever-growing USS Terra Nova Star Trek PBeM sim that I run. Even if you're not a character in the sim, the group is gaining a lot of attention and interest.... You might want to check out the ever-evolving Star Trek universe the twelve of us in there are creating. The story's great! I've even heard that there are some outsiders who are finding it a joy to follow along with. Hey, who would have known... [grin]. We've got our own little high-quality Star Trek series going here!

Hmm, oh, yeah, before I sign off for the night, how about a few more links for you to check out! ... [grin]

- The Nashville Star winner, Mr. Buddy Jewell!
- One of my other favorite Nashville Star finalists, Travis Howard!
- A Weblog: Anne... Straight from the hip. Tell her Jon sent you. :)

Have a great start to the week, and always, feel free to stop in here again. I'm not going anywhere... [grin].

Your happily blogging friend,
-Jon
posted by Jon at 6:17 AM  I   I  0 comments

"Nashville's Newest."


Congrats to Buddy Jewell, Nashville's newest country music star! I'll be eagerly listening to the radio on Monday to hear his most recent hit, "Lacey's Song".

Buddy, God's blessings on a professional music career. It's certainly been a long time coming, but the wait was definitely well worth it. Good luck, and enjoy the opportunity!

-Jon
posted by Jon at 10:17 PM  I   I  0 comments